FERRIS, TX ---
Jackie Kimbrell’s Ferris home used to be a dilapidated,
run-down house built in the early 1900’s. Its condition was
so poor, the City of Ferris recommended the home be
condemned and bulldozed in the summer of 2010.
After hearing
of Kimbrell, a 71 year-old single grandmother, and her
plight with the city through a CBS 11 news story, Duane and
Cheryl Tippit, wanted to help. They offered their services
and vowed to get other businesses to volunteer their aide as
well.
 Brennan
Enterprises heard Kimbrell’s story, felt her heartache, and
immediately wanted to help. In association with the newly
formed non-profit, Responding In Kindness, an organization
aimed at helping the elderly and underprivileged with home
repairs, Brennan Enterprises donated an entire set of
Brennan Executive Series vinyl replacement windows supplied
by NT Window for Kimbrell’s home… all completely free of
charge!
Through
various generous contractors that donated their supplies,
time, and labor, Jackie Kimbrell’s house underwent a
dramatic transformation.
“We were happy
to help Jackie improve her home,” said Kerry Brennan, owner
of Brennan Enterprises. “We got to know her through the
process and she is such a kind, loveable woman. Brennan was
honored to assist in this project.”
“The
Responding In Kindness organization is wonderful. It was
great to collaborate with their organization and ours,
Windows of Opportunity,” stated Ryon Ray, founder of Windows
of Opportunity.
“It was our
first time working with them and we had the best experience.
It’s always nice to give back to the community and those who
are just a little down on their luck. The way companies and
contractors came from all over North Texas to assist Jackie
was amazing. We hope to help Responding In Kindness with
other projects in the future,” said Ray.
For more
information on Responding In Kindness including nominating
someone in your community for aid from the organization,
please visit their website or email
respondinginkindness@yahoo.com
Windows of
Opportunity is a joint effort between NT Window, a Fort
Worth-based window manufacturer, and Brennan Enterprises, an
Arlington-based remodeling company, to give back to our
local community by donating and installing new windows to
families who are in need.
Established in 1979, Brennan Enterprises has been proudly
serving the home improvement needs of the Dallas-Fort Worth
metroplex for over 30 years. Brennan provides services
including window replacement, siding replacement, patio door
installation, rustic garage door installation, roofing, and
various others. For a comprehensive look at what Brennan can
do for your home, please visit www.brennancorp.com.
Homeowner Gets Windows of Opportunity Project
Makeover - March 1, 2011
 The
draft in Renee Gill’s two-bedroom home on Woodrow Street was
so noticeable that on windy days she could stand inside her
living room and literally feel her hair bouncing on her
neck. That has now changed, thanks to the replacement of 10
of her windows, courtesy of Brennan Enterprises and NT
Windows.
Gill’s 60-year-old home had recently undergone improvements
through the City of Arlington’s Weatherization Assistance
Program with the installation of new doors, attic and wall
insulations, and roof vent replacements. But Gill’s home
needed new windows, which was more than what could be funded
by a program that allots $6,500 per home.
In stepped Brennan Enterprises and NT Windows, which
selected Gill as part of their “Windows of Opportunity
Project Campaign.”
The project began last year when Brennan Enterprises was
looking for a way to make a positive difference by donating
windows and doors to a family in need. Monte Ramey of
Brennan contacted the Arlington Housing Authority to help
locate a family. Meanwhile, NT Windows became a partner in
the effort. The first recipient was Bernice Pittman’s home
in East Arlington.
A crew of a dozen workers arrived at Gill’s home on Feb. 26
around 8 a.m. About two hours later, 10 new energy efficient
windows were installed.
“I just can’t believe it,” said Gill, who watched the work
along with two young grandchildren who often spend weekends
with her. “I can’t tell you how much I needed this.”
Gill received more than windows. Brennan Enterprises owner
Kerry Brennan and NT Windows CEO Ryon Ray presented Gill
with a $1,000 check to help with mortgage payments.
“We wanted to take it a step further this year,” said Monte
Ramey, General Manager of Brennan Enterprises. “We wanted to
do more than just do the repairs.”
Arlington Interim Community Services Director David
Zappasodi said the Windows of Opportunity Project is just
another example of a public-private partnership that works.
“It is a privilege to witness the impact that acts of
charity by the private sector have on the lives of citizens
in need,” Zappasodi said. “The generosity of Brennan
Enterprises and NT Windows is a testimony of the powerful
life change that can occur through a public private
partnership.”
Gill said the initial weatherization has already lowered her
energy bills and can’t wait to see how much the windows
reduce them even more.
“This partnership has provided this homeowner with a
complete weatherization package,” Zappasodi said. “In the
long run it will improve the livability of this home and
lower the energy footprint for this homeowner.”
Businesses Provide Struggling Arlington Woman
Window of Hope
By
BILL HANNA
Star
Telegram
ARLINGTON -- For the last three years, Bernice Pittman's
life has been in a downward spiral. In 2007, her daughter
was shot and killed, and her mother died a few months later.
Pittman has struggled to cope ever since. She has been
disabled and unable to work.
Living
on a fixed income made it impossible to make the necessary
repairs to her east Arlington home. The small brick
residence's roof needs to be replaced. There are cracks on
the floor and leaks on the walls and the ceiling.
Just a
few months ago, Bernice Pittman almost lost hope when
Arlington officials told her that the repairs needed to fix
her home exceeded a $24,500 federal grant.
"I was
watching my home crumble around me, and there was nothing I
could do about it," Pittman said.
Then,
seemingly out of nowhere, her luck changed. Two local window
companies -- Brennan Enterprises of Arlington and NT Window
of Fort Worth -- offered to replace her windows for free.
The
installation of the energy-efficient windows Saturday will
allow the other repairs on her home to be completed. "When
it looked bad, my niece and I prayed on it," Pittman said.
"It was like our prayers were answered."
Outside the box
Brennan Enterprises came up with the idea to donate windows
before the Christmas holidays.
"It
was like, 'Let's go outside the box house and install free
windows for a needy family," said Monte Ramey, Brennan's
general manager.
Brennan contacted Arlington officials, and the company
quickly got its supplier, window manufacturer NT Window of
Fort Worth, on board.
"Actually when Monte brought up the idea, we were thinking
the same thing," said Ryan Ray, manager of NT Window. "We as
a company have been extremely fortunate in recent years."
NT
Window donated the windows, and Brennan Enterprises provided
the installers. The retail cost for the supplies and labor
would be at least $6,500.
With
the windows in place, David Zappasodi, assistant director of
Arlington's community services department, said the rest of
the repairs can be completed with the $24,500 grant.
The
project will be sent out for bid. Pittman will decide which
one to choose. Once a contractor is selected, the work
should begin about a week later and take about 30 days to
complete. The money comes from $1.4 million in HUD grants
Arlington receives annually to fix low-income homes.
In
recent years, the city has repaired 80 to 90 homes each
year.
Wrong place, wrong time
Pittman has spent the last three years of her life trying to
cope with the slaying of her 23-year-old daughter, Sheena
Perkins. She was killed while sitting in a vehicle outside
an after-hours Arlington nightclub. The shooter was firing
at the driver and struck her instead.
"She
was in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong
people," Pittman said.
A
Dallas man was later sentenced to 15 years in prison for the
crime. Her daughter's death, coupled with the death of her
mother the same year, was too much for Pittman to handle.
She was unable to work. Paying the mortgage on her home,
which she bought 10 years ago, also became a challenge.
"I
didn't quite have a nervous breakdown, but I had some
emotional and physical issues," Pittman said. "I had a job
working customer service with Aetna, and it got where I
couldn't deal with people. Some days I can deal with people,
and some days I can't really be around people. It's hard."
But
the impending repairs have given her hope. With the new
windows, she believes that her energy costs may be cut in
half.
For
the two local businesses, the donation may be simply the
beginning. Both are talking about making the donation an
annual event.
"We
would love to have a window block party, where we would go
in and locate a low-income neighborhood where everyone
needed window replacements and where our efforts would be
multiplied," said Ray of NT Window. "We have been working
with Habitat for Humanity for 10 years and would like to
work with them or some other group."
If the
program goes forward, Brennan Enterprises would either work
again with Arlington or another social service organization.
"If
there was a way we could leverage our giving that helps
someone and puts them in a rehab program, that would be
really neat way to help others," Ramey said.
BILL HANNA |
